Patterned after a top-rated television competition, "Dancing With Canton's Stars" has proven wildly popular on the homefront as well.

A Palace Theatre fundraiser performed on the Palace stage, "Dancing" in its first two years drew sold-out crowds and raised more than $51,000 for the theater's operations and programming.

On Nov. 16, the show returns for a third year, pairing local celebrities with skilled dancers in competition for a mirrored-ball trophy. In a switch from the TV show, the local dance team that raises the most money is declared the winner.

Donations for specific contestants will be accepted during the show and also may be made in advance at www.cantonpalacetheatre.org.

Here is a look at six of this year's 11 "stars." Their remarks, received via email, have been edited for length and consistency.

Writer at The Repository, will swing dance with partner Tiffany Steinert.

WHY I ENTERED

"Raising money for a community jewel like the Palace is a worthy cause. It is also a way to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself to do something that is completely out of left field."

PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"Other than busting moves in the comfort of my home with my kids and wife, none. Ask 'em, they'll tell you I have moves."

BEST PART SO FAR

"I felt bad for my partner getting stuck with me and my two left feet, but she has done a great job working with me and getting me to the point of performing."

CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"I think initially it will be intimidating, but once you get out there and start moving, it will be performing for an audience, and they will either love you or be glad when our two and a half minutes are up."

Jen Jellison

Veterinarian and owner of For Paws Animal Hospital, will dance a slow waltz with partner Michael Edwards.

WHY I ENTERED

"I wanted to take a risk and try something I had never done before. Since I'm not quite bold enough to parachute, I thought dancing would be fine."

PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"Very limited. I grew up as a competitive gymnast, and we did have ballet lessons at the downtown YWCA. I did everything I could to sneak out on the lessons. I wish I had not done that!"

BEST PART SO FAR

"Working with my dance instructor Kim and learning how to dance and communicate with my lovely partner. You really cannot dance a waltz without communicating with your partner. I think it's made me communicate with my husband better too!"

Page 2 of 3 - CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"I am feeling nervous of course ... privileged to get to be on stage and, of course, a bit competitive. I did have a dream I fell into the orchestra pit so I am probably more nervous than I realize."

Tony Ly

Owner and general manager of Basil Asian Bistro, will dance West Coast Swing with partner Stevie Jo Bliss.

WHY I ENTERED

"My motivation is to be able to show the community of downtown that I'm not just a business owner but someone that does want to be more of a community figure."

PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"I really never had formal dance experience. I used to dread dancing when I was younger."

BEST PART SO FAR

"Seeing the choreography coming together and finally learning the whole dance. When my partner, Stevie, and I started, I was so intimidated and thought I'd never pull this off. It's been very rewarding."

CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"I feel very anxious to dance in front of more than a thousand people."

Tricia Ostertag

Community arts manager for ArtsinStark, will dance the cha cha with partner Kyle Wertz.

WHY I ENTERED

"Last year when I went to see the show for my friends Todd (Walburn) and Jay (Spencer), it struck me how much fun they were having. I love to dance, love to have fun and care about the Palace."

PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"I danced for 15 years with the Cindy Haley School of Dance where I took classes in jazz, tap and modern and got chances to compete all over the place. I've done many musicals with the Players Guild, I take a tap class once a week at the Massillon Y and I have also choreographed the musicals at Central Catholic for nine years."

BEST PART SO FAR

"Learning choreography. I've never taken ballroom, so learning new styles is really fun."

CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"Since becoming a mom and being in grad school, I haven't had time to be on stage. I'm really just so excited to be doing what I love again."

Eric Smer

Director of ystark! at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, will dance the cha cha with partner Claire Jones.

WHY I ENTERED

"As a young professional who admires the historic theatre as a vibrant piece of Canton's past and, more importantly, its future, I believe in helping raise the necessary funds to keep the Palace restored, open and entertaining for generations to come!"

Page 3 of 3 - PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"My dance experience is limited, unless you count the embarrassing hours I've spent doing the chicken dance and electric slide at weddings. I've had a light dabble in swing, rumba and the waltz but just with close friends and family."

BEST PART SO FAR

"Getting to know my fabulous instructor, Claire, and myself at the same time. I didn't know my hips could move (that) way."

CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"I'm anxiously counting down to the 'big day' onstage. It won't be my first time in front of a Palace-filled audience, but it will certainly be the first time they're there to see me move … and hopefully not trip or fall!"

Marilyn Thomas Jones

Director of community engagement at Stark County Foundation, will swing dance with partner Rick Lees.

WHY I ENTERED

"The beautiful Palace Theatre is such an important part of downtown Canton that I cannot imagine saying no to helping in some small way."

PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE

"I was chosen to dance the Jitterbug on the Timken Company Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Float during the grand parade one year. Dancing on a moving float up Cleveland Avenue was quite an experience."

BEST PART SO FAR

"Rick and I are operating as a team, and as the saying goes: 'There is no I in team.' (We've) had fun deciding on our apparel (and) remembering dances like the jerk, the swim, the hustle, the funky chicken, etc."

CONFIDENT OR TERRIFIED?

"I am looking forward to dancing on the Palace stage. When my daughter, Elizabeth-Burton Jones, studied at the Canton Ballet, I spent a lot of time at each and every performance of 'The Nutcracker.' I guess you could say I am following in my daughter's footsteps."